Collaborative Projects

As well as in the Seventh Framework Programme, the European Commission will promote the involvement of SMEs in collaborative projects also in Horizon 2020.

In particular, during Horizon 2020, it will be mandatory that the 13% of the budget within each of the LEITs (second pillar) and Societal Challenges (third pillar) Work Programmes will be earmarked for the benefit of the SMEs through their involvement in collaborative projects.

Collaborative projects are that typology of financial instrument (type of action) in which you need to respond exactly to the topic described by the Commission Work Programme (top down approach):

work with at least two international partners (separate legal entities) from different EU countries or from Associated Countries.

There are two kinds of collaborative projects in Horizon 2020:

Research & Innovation Actions – RIA: The core activities of the proposal are research and development. Nevertheless, Demonstration, Management and Other activities are also eligible for funding.

Innovation Actions – IA: The core activities of the proposal are those concerning demonstration (testing, prototype development, scaling up, first market replication)where it will be necessary to "get closer" to the market. Nevertheless, Research and Development, Management and Other activities are also eligible for funding.

Particularly in the Innovation Actions will be crucial the collaboration between research and industry (SMEs in particular).